Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2005): National Health Service - Primary and Community Care

CHANGE THE SCRIP

A. Dix

Health Service Journal, vol.115, Apr.7th 2005, p.26-28

The new community pharmacy contract rewards pharmacists for the range and quality
of additional services they offer, not for the volume of medicines dispensed.
Pharmacists will be encouraged to contribute to NHS service provision in four
main areas:

self-care;

management of long-term conditions;

public health;

improving access to services.

However, funding may be a barrier to the development of new services under
the contract, as money for providing local enhanced services must come from existing
primary care trust budgets.

Study measured the attitudes, self-efficacy, knowledge and training needs of
practice nurses working with people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in primary
health care settings in Glasgow. Overall, practice nurses demonstrated considerable
general clinical experience and qualifications, and positive attitudes in their
work with people with ID. This suggests they are a group with an expanding role
in addressing the unmet health needs of people with ID. However their lack of
training specific to this area of their work and an apparent gap in their knowledge
indicates that targeted training initiatives are required.

TIME FOR A LONG TERM VIEW

B. Hudson

Community Care, Apr.21st-27th 2005, p.38-39

Current government strategy for managing patients with long term conditions
in the community involves importation of the "Kaiser Permanente triangle"
model. Article discusses some of the challenges faced by health professionals
in implementing the model in the UK. Calls on hospitals to work closely with primary
care trusts and social services to avoid emergency admissions.

WHY PCTS ARE RELUCTANT TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

H. Mooney

Health Service Journal, vol.115, Apr.14th 2005, p.14-15

Reform of sexual health services was one of the five key areas singled out
for attention in the implementation of the public health White Paper. However,
primary care trusts have proved reluctant to take up the challenge, partly because
the quality of their sexual health services does not count towards their performance
rating. Waiting times for appointments at sexual health clinics appear to be getting
longer rather than shorter.